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You and Your Work: A Short Film About Employment from 1948

Last weekend, Kris and I hired a friend’s 12-year-old to help with yardwork. We leave for Africa on Monday, and we don’t want to burden our housesitter with unnecessary chores. When we heard that our young friend Ian was raising money for a school trip to Washington D.C., we figured that instead of buying candy bars from him, we’d offer $10 an hour to help us around the house.

Ian and I spent six hours on Saturday pruning blackberry banes, trimming the arborvitae hedge, taking down Christmas lights, and more. He was a willing and competent worker. I think this experiment was a win-win for everyone involved.

You and Your Work
Ian’s excellent work ethic reminded me of a short film I watched recently. It’s been a while since I highlighted any of these old movies about personal finance; it’s tough to find new ones I haven’t featured before. In fact, new readers may not even be aware that I love old instructional films of all sorts, but particularly if they’re about finance and related topics. I’ve shared many of these movies in the past, and I hope to find more to share in the future.

Today’s film was put out by Coronet Films in 1948. In You and Your Work, a young man learns the value of a positive attitude. Why loathe your life as a shoe salesman when you can love it?

High-school student Frank Taylor wants to earn some spending cash, so he takes a job as a shoe salesman. (Kind of like this, but in a store.) The job is okay at first, but gradually Frank grows tired of it. Plus, the pay sucks: “That wouldn’t buy many of the things I wanted. The shoe business was no good!” After Frank is fired at the shoe store, he goes to his high-school guidance counselor for help.

You and Your Work argues that there’s no such thing as a dull job. What’s important is the worker’s attitude. Frank wants a glamorous, interesting job — like an architect — but his counselor points out that even architects get bored with their work. And even teachers, chemists, and fishermen can be proud of what they do. So, too, can a shoe salesman.

“Any job is as important as you make it,” says the guidance counselor. “If you think it’s not important, whatever it is, you’ll soon become bored with it and do it poorly.”

To enjoy your work, you don’t need just a good income. You also need personal satisfaction, pride of accomplishment, and a sense of importance to others. This is true whether you’re talking about a part-time job or a life-time career. “And as for money,” says the counselor, “well, we all want money. But if you don’t perform any service, or if you don’t do your work well, you can’t expect much in return.”

The Worst Job I Ever Had
I can relate to poor Frank Taylor’s position. His shoe-selling experience reminds me of the worst job I ever had, selling insurance door-to-door when I was fresh out of college. In my case, I was able to get things turned around — eventually. And Frank, too, comes out ahead. He changes his attitude, and, in fact, becomes manager of the shoe store.

As I say, I love these old films. Sure, they simplify things. And sometimes their notions are sexist and/or racist, or otherwise outdated. But generally they have sound messages, even for the kids of today. They’re just dressed in the trappings of a world that no longer exists.

Someday I’ll find the time to do a round-up of all these old educational money movies. I’d love to have them all in one place.

Whew! I guess I don’t love instructional videos as much as you. I got through about 5 minutes of it, and then couldn’t take it anymore! I got the message though.

My worst job was my first one. I worked at a local greenhouse. We sat on a stool all day and trimmed trays of plants…. and there wasn’t even a back-rest on the stools! One of the good parts of the job was being able to talk with others while you worked though. So, most of the time it wasn’t so bad.

I was watching “Under Cover Boss” one night, and they were following Waste Management. One of the garbage truck drivers said it wasn’t a glamorious job, but he just jokes and makes the most of it, so he can have a good time.

I guess I find that people don’t appreciate having a job- sometimes, one that pays very well- while at the same time not doing anything to find a better/more fulfillling one. Sometimes to do something more exciting/interesting, you get less money or you may need to get more education or move- but people(at least some people I know) just want to complain about their work. And yes, most jobs have boring parts

Sure it’s good to find satisfaction in your job, but where would you be if you found satisfaction in your insurance salesman job?
Some people are driven by other forces and staying at a job they don’t really like will not work out well. Everyone will have to find their own path. I don’t like my job now, but I will bide my time until I can make a graceful transition.

More than the vast majority of adults make. Will he ever be happy with anything less?
While I appreciate the generosity, just because a person can do something; it doesn’t necessarily mean that he should. In the end I’m not sure that was a very helpful part of the work ethic lesson. Namely, hard work, reliability and attitude lead to advancement and higher pay as a reward.

When you start a 12-year-old off at such disproportionate wage/age ratio, I think you inadvertently do him a disservice. His expectations are skewed and he has nowhere but down to go from here. Unless you give him $11.00, $12.00…..the next time.

But, that’s just my opinion.

Otherwise, I enjoyed the post and the classic clip.

J.D.’s note: Well, for one thing, I wasn’t hiring Ian to a permanent job. This was a fund-raiser for a school trip. So, just as I wouldn’t normally pay three bucks for a box of cookies (but I’ll pay that to a Girl Scout) or a buck for a candy bar (but I’ll pay that to a Cub Scout), I’m willing to pay more in this circumstance. Does that make sense? I don’t think it skews Ian’s income expectations, because everyone understands that this is more a donation than it is wages.

Despite its somewhat propaganda(ish) overtones I think there is some truth in your attitude having a whole lot to do with job satisfaction and performance. It is tough because you do not want to be some drone who never asks for what is fair, never questions what is right, etc., either.

Your story of your worst job reminded me of my job every summer. I worked as a summer custodian at a local school. The school would shut off the air (since it was “just the custodians left”) and the labor was quite intensive (moving all the furniture around, scrubbing things I do not wish to remember, etc).

Plus, it started at 6:00 a.m. Every year after a few months (and as a spoiled teenager) I started to feel like I was going to lose it: the heat, the exhaustion from no sleep, the REPETITION of the job. Once I allowed myself to really get upset the job it was always a downward spiral in terms of production and happiness. My parents would always say, “well you know you do not want to do that for a living, maybe you can aim higher.” (this was always sort of tragic to me because my dad had such a job himself). It was a good lesson but no fun at the time.

Whenever I start to resent my “desk job” now as an adult I think about that, and some of the other way more difficult things (war, etc) I could be going through.

The other thing I always consider is how I do not like to be around negative people. That in itself teaches me a lesson about how it pays to be positive.

@Curtis:
Uh, maybe you live in India or Vietnam, but here in the US the vast majority of adults make well over $10/hour. In San Francisco, the legal minimum wage is $9.92, and in Oregon where J.D. lives, it’s $8.50.

And besides, pay is not commensurate with age, it’s commensurate with the task being completed. Would you pay a 60-year-old plumber twice as much as a 30-year-old plumber? If yard work is worth $10/hour, then it doesn’t matter the age of the person doing it. In fact, I tend to think young people are underpaid more often than overpaid in situations like this because they have less experience and are easier to take advantage of.

But really, you think the vast majority of adults make less than $10/hour? Where do you live?

Good reminder that it is all about attitude. I find that if we don’t share the stories about how everyone, at times, struggles with their work then some people begin to feel like it is only them. We need to support each other in workplace during the great times, good times, not some good times and down right awful times. Only by building a sense of connection with others and recognizing the wonderful value that people carry with them can we nurture great attitudes in the workplace.

I’m glad to hear that you hired Ian. I also saved up for a school trip to DC when I was younger by doing yard work and mowing lawns, and it taught me a great deal about working and earning money.

Loved the video, too! Definitely got a good chuckle out of it. I really wish it was that easy to make yourself decide you love a job. I could be raking in the money right now as an engineer if I could just learn to love dull work.

Actually, Tyler, I live in the real world. Your two examples only helped solidify my point.

I have owned several service-oriented businesses over the past 30 years from Central CA to Southern OK. I currently own/manage one with 17 employees. Sadly, a vastly increasing number of people live on the <$10.00 minimum wage you highlighted in your reply. Given the economic environment, many have had to accept lower wage jobs or continued unemployment.

Additionally, the point had less to do with what adults earn and more to do with skewing a 12-year-old's wage expectations going forward. (I won’t go on to mention your apples to oranges comparison of 30-year-old plumber to a 60-year-old plumber. vs. my point of a young child to adult wage).

As long as J.D. helped him to understand that these were exceptional circumstances and not the norm, he will probably find contentment in his earning going forward. Otherwise, I stand by my original reply…despite your sarcasm.

@J.D. Thanks for the clarification. Given the circumstances it makes perfect sense. I’ve done the same many times over the years with the clear understanding of the reasons for the higher-than-normal wages paid. Thanks for responding.

Tyler,
I know a lot of adults making $10 an hour. Your “real world” does not include most people who care for your needs in stores, shops, cafes and salons. My son in law’s brother and sister in law both have two jobs- each 7.5-10 dollars an hour. The $10 an hour is the “plum”job.

JD- I would pay the same if it were for a fundraising. Otherwise, my neighborhood kids work for $7.00 an hour.

Location ties into how much employers will pay. When I moved down to Texas a few years ago with my now ex, I was offered a job just stocking shelves until I was able to get full-time employment. They offered me $6.5 an hour, whereas I was doing that work off and on in highschool for twice that up North.

The worst job I ever had was working seasonal employment at Eddie Bauer. I found the manager and a few co-workers overly-enthused about the clothes they were selling. I could never catch the vibe myself. I kept thinking about the workers and their conditions/wages overseas that went into producing these clothes.

35% of american individuals earn less than $25,000/year. Which is to say a *lot* more people earn more than that. I’m sorry, but saying “the vast majority of adults” make less than that is just plain wrong. It’s not even debatable. Sure, some make less than that, but a much larger number make more.

And I don’t know where you can quote me as talking about the “real world”. I was talking about the United States. If you want to talk about pay in the developing world, fine, but seeing as how nobody in this conversation so far is living there, it’s a different topic.

And I still think that if work is worth $10/hour, the age of the person doing it is irrelevant, even if it’s a kid doing it to help raise money for a school trip. Would it really have been that different if J.D. had paid him the $8.50 minimum wage?

Thinking about the job as a fundraiser, I have often had kids come to the door, or my childrens friends, wanting to sell me something for a fundraiser. I like to just give them some cash. I don’t really need the candy/wrapping paper/cookie dough that they’re hawking, and sometimes the profit margin from those products is tiny. So I give them $5, thats what they would make from a dozen rolls of wrapping paper.

Glad to hear about you supporting your neighbor AND him being willing to work for his donation.

As for the video … hmmm … it’s definitely a balance. No one likes to work with overly negative people, but sometimes the job really does suck. I think the lesson of the video is good for inexperienced workers who have an unrealistic view of the glamour potential in certain fields, but it’s also a good lesson in making sure you’ve given a job a fair chance. Sometimes the job is fine, it’s you that has the wrong attitude.

I guess it just reminded me that with the down economy over the last couple of years there’s a lot of “don’t complain at least you have a job” sentiments out there. While it’s true, things could always be worse, that doesn’t mean it’s ok for companies/bosses to exploit their workers. And it doesn’t mean their workers should not try to fix the things they think are wrong. It just means you want to try to be diplomatic about it.

People are so picky, so what if he gets paid $10 to help you out, no biggie. Most kids know if they want more than that they will go to college.

As for attitude, I think that’s a huge part of life, it helps to have a good attitude, but sometimes its not enough.

I had jobs in retail and as a telemarketer and they made me miserable, finally I’ve found a job that I could tolerate which I’m at right now but its not my favorite job and I can’t wait to graduate from college.

I think part of my frustration is that I’m in my late twenties and I’m tired of minimum wage jobs. I can’t wait until I move on from this job.

I did like the movie. Of course that was another era, another time…But when it comes to work it is the same all the time. Do it, and do it gladly. If you do not like it, move on. Better opportunities will always come. Just keep an eye open for them. And leave doors open.

First of all, let me say that I am completely obsessed with the Prelinger archive and love these old films beyond words. Could watch them all day.

Notwithstanding that there are some really miserable dead-end jobs out there, the film’s message is to take interest and pride in your work, no matter how insignificant it might seem– and to view your job not just in terms of what it gives you, but for what it enables *you* to give to the society in which you live.

Admittedly, most people who need work focus (understandably) on the former viewpoint, but the latter is very, very important and is what distinguishes a seat-warmer from an employee who will thrive and advance. Your job enables you to be part of the world, to connect with it socially, and to learn about how the world works. Viewing it that way changes work’s value. Maybe that’s too idealistic for some, but I believe it to be true.

I think that it is very important to instill a strong work ehtic when kids are young. Too many kids are given everything and nothing is expected of them in return. I teach my son that what he puts out is what he will get back. If he fails to do his chores properly, his allowance is docked. I started working at 14 and the lessons I learned at my first job have stuck with me through my entire life. I worked in a snack bar at a skating rink, but I took great pride in my work and I liked to do a good job.

I can definitely relate. In high school, the first job I got was at a drugstore, where they placed me in the pharmacy as a cashier. After a few years working there, hating it the whole time, I got lots of pharmacy technician training but then finally quit when I went away to college. I just graduated in May 2010 with a BA in History and Poli Sci and had no success for 6 months in finding a job related to my major, so I ended up getting a job as a pharmacy technician at another pharmacy just to make some money. After having worked odd jobs in college as a farm laborer, factory worker, janitor, and grocery store cashier, I realize now how good I had it at my first job and I really enjoy my work now. And I’ve recently been promoted to head technician in my pharmacy.

I think hiring kids to do work is great. That is how I started out. Whenever there was something I wanted to buy, I would find chores around the house or chores for the neighbors that I could do to raise money. I would get a friend to help and it was fun. We would wash cars, weed flowerbeds, mow lawns, and in the ancient times I grew up in we went around collecting discarded bottles for the return fee. Later did so much babysitting I saved a bundle. It certainly taught me how to earn money!

Loved the video even though it was before my time. The same principles apply as much then as they do in this economy today. Any job needs to be treated with respect and satisfication & all contribute to a communites worth.

For a one time spot job, while $10 seems generious, pulling blackberries, etc is no fun. I would bet the kid jumps at the chance of repeating it, or even some piece meal contract that may result in a bit lower net. Much lower cost than bringing in a yard service to take care and maintain it while gone.

Reminds me of a time in 1986, where I needed another worker for light duty work & offered a intersection sign holding homeless man $100.00 for the days work & he turned me down saying that he could do better than that staying where he was. Since that day, I have been giving them 1 or 2 McDonalds coupons, but thy don’t offer them anymore. Can’t even give them Sambo’s wooden Coffee Coins. I’ll be darned before I start handing out debit cards…

As someone who has gone down a non-challenging, boring path career-wise for more than a decade, looking forward to an upcoming change, I take issue with some of this.
Yes, it’s important to do a good job – I’ve been told repeatedly I’m exceptional at what I do for a living, and I’m paid well for it. I fulfill my duties every day beyond expectation. But I’m BORED. Do I ever experience FLOW – that magic state where time stands still b/c you’re just a bit challenged and enjoying it? Maybe a couple of times a year. So it’s not ALL about attitude. If you can reconfigure your job in your mind to appreciate what’s positive, that’s great. But sometimes, a menial job is JUST a menial job… and it’s important to try to find a way OUT.

I don’t mind the idea of paying a kid a bit more for work done. I’ve done that with my babysitter. She needed the money and I am a good customer. I am also a good tipper at restaurants. If I know someone in need and they’re willing to help me, I’m willing to help them in any way I can. Even if it means a boost in wages!

BTW, I currently work in retail for under $10/hour. Since my husband recently lost his job, I went full-time to get benefits. Working with the public can be difficult at times for sure. I believe it depends on how you view your job and your reasons for being there. For me, I like working with people and the job offers my family medical insurance. In that respect, if it helps my family, then I am happy.

@Tyler: I too, live in the real world. There are MANY adults living on $10 or less an hour, myself included. I’m middle aged, and have lived on $10 an hour or less for almost a decade now. Most of my friends do too.

Think of ALL the retail stores all over, from fast food to places like K-mart or WalMart. Many of those employees make less than $10 an hour. One of my friends parents both work at Walmart and make around $10 an hour.

You don’t see these people, because you are rich, Tyler. Your circles don’t include adults who make less than $10 an hour, just as my circles don’t include many adults who make more than $10 an hour. But you can’t just deny these people exist, and yes, they exist in greater numbers than you think. No, they’re not the majority, or even close to it, but there are a lot of them.

EDIT: Just got to your Wikipedia comment. So you did look it up. 35% is a lot of people who can barely make a living. But yeah, not the majority. Also, don’t forget that “household” may include TWO wage-earners, so two people in a single household making $10 an hour each might be classified as a $40,000/yr household income. But both adults are still only earning $10 an hour. And this also doesn’t include single adults who are holding down multiple $10 an hour jobs. I knew a couple people like that. They had two or three low-paying jobs to make ends meet.

I don’t know why everyone wants to argue that I’m making a point that I’m not. I didn’t say people making $10/hour don’t exist, just that they’re not the majority of American adults (and specifically, not the *vast* majority).

And the 35% statistic is from a graph on that page that specifically shows income for “persons” as opposed to “households”. And the graph is based on census data, and as such presumably includes part-time earners making more than $10/hour but less than $25,000/year in that bottom bracket (people like my wife), and people making over $25,000 combined at multiple sub-$10/hour jobs in the next higher bracket.

First time commenter. I have been reading this blog since its inception, when I found it as a young twenty something on ORblogs. As a now Oregonian interested in finance I always appreciated your candor and personality. I commend you in hiring your friends child in his fund raising endeavors. I grew up making money; by babysitting, doing a paper route, working in a factory (from Michigan!), doing odd job, etc… all before I was 16. Learning the value of a dollar at a young age was (is) indeed a priceless lesson.

As a young adult living in Portland, with a college degree, educated as they would say, I was slightly dismayed at the income I was making working at a local restaurant. Was I earning over $10 an hour? yes. Was I “rolling in the dough” ? hahaha. Did I make above the poverty level as a DINK (Dual Income No Kid)? Probably. Did I manage to pay my rent, utilities, student loans, car payment, etc.. yes. Did I have a life? barely. Did I share a house with five (fabulous..lucky!) other individuals, park my car, and ride my bike wherever I could, cook meals for less than 30 dollars per week, and generally survive? yes. well.. besides that brief period where I couldn’t and then I was “homeless” i.e. not really living on the “street” but more like couch surfing and living in my car for four months. Living the good life, yes indeed, where was I going with this??

@ Tyler

Is listening to anecdotes (such as above) a reliable way to discern information. no, not really. Is linking to Wikipedia a reliable way to discern information. no, not really. Trust me, I know, I tried this in college. Wikipedia, although a trusted first stop in research for me, is nowhere near the empirical data I need to form an educated, informed opinion on any given subject.

According to the US census bureau 43.6 million people are living in poverty. But, wait, In a country of 309 million, 43.6 million people is a minority. It actually proves your point. To me 40 million men, women, and children is a sad thing. To you, it is mere semantics. California (where, I believe you live) and the greater NY metro area, greatly skew this data. If you look at the data for the remaining 48 states, you will see a far larger number live below the $25000 you believe to be an indicator of economic health.

It amazes me how the messages in these videos are right information vs the media (TV, movies) providing wrong information!

Today’s TV and movies make it sounds like a place of employment is lucky to have you work there instead of the other way around.

What I really found amazing was the impact computers have made in the office environment. It was interesting seeing that filing cabinet, vs a small computer on the desk. It was a different world back then…

Hard labor doesn’t equal higher pay. In fact in these days, we can’t compete with the labor overseas. The best we can do is try to get a great education and be clever about our employment opportunities.

Actually that was not my point, nor did I even come close to making that point.

My point had to do with paying adult wages to a 12-year-old without letting him enjoy the satisfaction/reward of working up to a higher wage given more time/experience. Something I believe to be an effective life-lesson. I was referring more to the psychological effect on his wage expectations going forward.

But, that point has been satisfactorily addressed by the original poster.

My original reply was distorted by subsequent poster(s) who took issue with other part(s) of the reply.

Sorry for being pedantic, but your argument should read “the majority of *American* adults make $10/hr or more.” If you include the worldwide adult population, then the vast majority do in fact make less than $10/hr.

My point in saying this isn’t to somehow prove you wrong, it’s just to show the importance of perspective. Wealth, especially first-world wealth, is relative.

FWIW, I used to earn $20 each time I mowed a neighbor’s lawn back in the early 90s. It took me an hour or so, so I think JD’s rate was fair. I’m sure if JD paid him less someone would accuse him of violating some child labor law or something.

I have bounced back and forth between “cocktail party” jobs (you know what I mean: someone at a party asks what you do, and you’re excited to tell them that you’re a lawyer/banker/physicist/whatever) and “blue collar” gigs for most of my adult life. The irony is it always felt like the non-glamorous gigs (the ones where you hope noone asks what you do, so that you don’t have to lie about it) were the more necessary for society to function than the glamour gigs. Here’s hoping we all start treating the less-than-sexy jobs with more respect – there are too many unemployed college grads that need a change in perspective.

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